’Dandadan’ review: “I’ve Got This Funny Feeling”

After such a heart wrenching and artful episode, Dandadan episode 8 has its work cut out for it. “I’ve Got This Funny Feeling” naturally doesn’t hit the emotional highs and lows of “To A Kinder World,” but it does de-escalate and re-escalate the plot so naturally you couldn’t care if you tried. Now that Dandadan has found its proper foundations and footing, it can easily move from arc to arc. “I’ve Got This Funny Feeling” is a great example of just how easily this series is capable of doing so, all while keeping up the adorable relationship drama. 

Where’s your manners?

Dandadan episode 8 focuses its first part on cooling off from the Acrobatic Silky battle. Aira has been welcomed into the Ayase home for a celebratory meal. The self professed main character still hasn’t quite come to an understanding about her new situation, but can at least tell how silly that situation is. Momo and Aira’s mouthful back and forth is a hilarious tension breaking scene. The sequence escalates both in heat and humor as text fills the screen to help clarify their food-filled yelling. It’s the exact kind of levity needed in the wake of the previous episode. 

This relaxation also locks in Aira’s newfound affection for Okarun. The budding romance between Momo and Okarun running into complications shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, of course. It wouldn’t be any fun to have our two leads awkwardly connect with each other without other awkward teens stumbling in to confuse everyone. Sometimes, that complication also comes in the form of a Grandma that has no problem with agitating the situation by agreeing her granddaughter is in fact a demon. Saeko is the best, for real. 

Main character syndrome goes too far

Aira is an interesting addition to the cast overall. While a good portion of her mean girl streak is falling away, the reality is that she doesn’t have any perception of her faults. This is evident from her confession to Okarun the next day at school. Her insistence that she must kiss him to share her feelings leads to physically accosting him. He’s not doing himself many favors, lying to Momo for no reason. She’s pretty reasonably hurt when she finds them as a result. Even so, this is really an Aira showcase. Here, we see that despite her personal grief, she’s lacking self-awareness and lives in her own fantasy. 

Also, I think it’s worth dwelling on this a bit in regards to Aira’s violation of Okarun’s consent. It can be easy to wave away, since Aira’s barely got a grasp on what she’s doing and Okarun is a male, but it’s still a violation. Okarun isn’t good at speaking his mind, but he’s very clearly telling Aira no, and she’s not listening. She’s invading his physical space, in fact. 

He’s kind of an awkward fellow, you know

Of course, this barely compares to something like episode one’s uncomfortable sequence. I wouldn’t even say this sequence really meets the “ecchi” description. But I’d be remiss to not observe his discomfort. I’m far from someone who has only issues with fanservice in the right places. But I do think that as the industry and discussion evolves on this topic, I hope we keep in mind that not every male character is the same template either. 

Okarun did lie to Momo because he’s so embarrassed to want to work out, and what a silly guy he is! If anything, his motivation for wanting to pull his weight in their adventures makes a lot of sense. Yes, his crush is motivating him, but in true Mob Psycho 100 fashion, self improvement for these reasons is not a cause for embarrassment. It does help set up the completely mistaken drama for him and Momo, because while Okarun is no Ataru Moroboshi, Dandadan is closer to Urusei Yatsura than it wants to admit. 

Insert Godzilla music here

All this drama is the best segue into the next supernatural threat to come find the gang. This time, they’re pulled from school right into — hang on, is that Shin Godzilla? No, but the mini kaiju that nearly blasts Momo is clearly a fan. The monster imitates the iconic atomic blast and it’s a feast for the eyes. The neon green that highlights its body as it prepares is striking. We don’t get much with this cool beast this week though, because Okarun and Aira are stuck with some old acquaintances. 

The Serpos are back, now targeting Okarun to try to replicate Turbo Granny’s power. They’re fascinated in how it did things even their “science” can’t (hmm, that’s interesting isn’t it) and plan to dissect him for it. They basically brush off Aira, despite being confused as to how she’s even here. She doesn’t wait too long to reveal how though. She’s now just like Okarun, bonded to the powers of a yokai and able to wield them; even if she still thinks she’s just special. 

Going down to go back up

Dandadan episode 8 is a great demonstration of how to transition story arcs. A lot of focus is placed on de-escalation, which is a very underrated part of storytelling. We can only enjoy the most tense and high stakes moments when those aren’t the only things going on. Given that Dandadan’s best strength is in its awkward high schoolers, the more time we can spend in that space the better. 

However, it’s also just as exciting to hit the gas, and “I’ve Got This Funny Feeling” does that too! It’s not much, but it’s plenty to leave on a cliffhanger for the next episode. There’s nothing padding the episode out even as the narrative moves a bit slowly. This is just how you do it, folks. 

Dandadan airs weekly on Crunchyroll and Netflix.

Featured image ©Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee